INTER PRESS SERVICE

The rise to power of the right-wing Civic Democrats has returned the Czech Republic to a eurosceptic and Atlanticist path, even at the expense of public feelings. The opposition says the country risks political isolation in Europe.

MOLDOVA: Waiting for Kosovo and the EU

Wishing to emulate Kosovo's example, the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria is increasingly rejecting the prospect of a unified state, just as the European Union (EU) begins to step in.

BALKANS: Serbs Want to Hand Kosovo an Independence Invoice

As the Albanian-dominated southern Serb province Kosovo inches towards independence, nationalist Serbs are raising an economic obstacle to back the political resistance to independence - an accounting of the money spent to develop Kosovo all these years.

EUROPE: Opposition to U.S. Base Rises

The arguments put forward by the United States to justify its project for a missile defence base in Eastern Europe are becoming less and less convincing to public opinion and experts of the countries involved.

ROMANIA: A European Home to Hepatitis

About two million of Romania’s 22 million people are carrying some form of hepatitis, in the highest infection rates in Europe.

CORRUPTION: Bulgaria Begins a Brave Fight

Still "on probation" from Brussels, Bulgaria is taking bold steps to persuade the European Union that it is efficient in getting rid of corruption and organised crime.

UKRAINE: EU Begins to Look Invitingly

A constant dispute between the liberal President and the 'pro-Russian' Prime Minister over foreign policy has not prevented the European Union (EU) from upgrading its partnership with Ukraine. But nobody dares to mention membership just yet.

RIGHTS: European Parliament Turns Policeman Over Renditions

By Sabina Zaccaro

Several European countries may soon be asked to explain their "passivity" over illegal renditions by the CIA through European airspace between 2001 and 2005.

ROMANIA: How Bleak Is My Valley

Petrosani, a town of about 50,000, presents a stark picture today of what the abrupt replacement of state socialism by unbridled capitalism can do.

BALKANS: Kosovo Stranded Between Serbia and Independence

The long awaited United Nations proposal on the status of the southern Serbian province Kosovo takes it towards independence, but not all the way.

MOLDOVA: Media Struggles for Independence

Opposition members and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are accusing Moldova's communist cabinet of interfering with the work of journalists who are critical of the government.

ROMANIA: Finding Energy to Rescue EU

With the European Union becoming ever more uncomfortable over its energy dependency on Russia, Romania, which joined the bloc along with Bulgaria Jan. 1, is paving the way for a pipeline project considered crucial for Europe's energy safety.

BALKANS: Elections to Point to Serbia’s Future

Serbia goes to the polls Sunday with deeply divided feelings over what the leaders offer and which way the country should go.

DEVELOPMENT: Global Tourism Swallowing Prague

Czechoslovakia's four decades of communism relegated Prague to a secondary role on the great tourist circuits. But the "return to Europe", as many Czechs call the advent of liberal democracy, globalisation, and with it tourism, has ended Prague's days of quiet.

SERBIA: Still a Weak ‘Economic Tiger’

The big claims about the economic progress of Serbia at the start of the New Year came as no surprise. But the doubts about some of these claims should cause no surprise either.

ROMANIA: EU Gets a New Country, and a New Culture Capital

All seems ready in the central Romanian town Sibiu for a spectacular celebration of the country's membership of the European Union (EU) Jan. 1. From that day this town becomes also the culture capital of Europe jointly with Luxembourg for a year.

CHALLENGES 2006-2007: Europe Reaches Out to the Balkans

Twelve years of continuous reform will mean that on Jan. 1 2007 Bulgaria and Romania will become the latest and poorest members of the European Union (EU), amid growing scepticism over enlargement.

UKRAINE: Another Election? No, Thanks